Lisa Nandy visits striking workers despite ban on Labour frontbenchers joining picket lines
01.08.2022 - 18:21
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Wigan MP Lisa Nandy has visited striking workers just days after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer sacked one of his shadow ministers over comments he made on a picket line.
Sir Keir has previously banned Labour frontbenchers from joining strikes. But Nandy, the shadow levelling up secretary, was pictured speaking to Communication Workers Union (CWU) members from BT and Openreach on a picket line in her constituency this morning (Monday).
About 40,000 CWU members are taking part in 24-hour walk out today in response to ‘real-term pay cuts’ that union bosses say have left some employees relying on food banks amid the cost of living crisis. Ms Nandy is understood to have informed the leader’s office in advance about her plans to visit the picket line.
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A source close to Ms Nandy said she wanted 'to show her support for constituents campaigning for better pay and conditions at a really tough time'. They added: "As Keir said in the Mirror piece yesterday, we support their right to do that, and what they need now is a Labour government so they don't feel like they're on their own when times are tough."
Labour MP Sam Tarry, who was fired from his senior role as shadow transport minister last week after he attended a picket line, tweeted that it was 'great' to see Ms Nandy joining striking workers. He added: "Senior Labour politicians need to demonstrate loud and clear that our Party is on the side of ordinary working people who are fighting back against this anti-worker Government."
Following Mr Tarry's dismissal, Labour said the decision had been taken after the MP breached "collective responsibility" rules by making an
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